The German producer launched a serious replace on the Monaco Grand Prix, which included new sidepods, revised entrance suspension and ground tweaks.
Whereas the character of the Monte Carlo avenue observe meant it was laborious to gauge precisely how a lot of a step ahead the brand new elements delivered, the staff was inspired by the primary indicators from the modifications.
Nonetheless, staff principal Toto Wolff says {that a} key facet that now wants addressing is in finding out an improved steadiness on the rear of the automobile.
This attribute has prompted issues for each Lewis Hamilton and George Russell this 12 months, and means they often lack the boldness they want when attacking corners.
Talking concerning the conclusions of the upgrades, Wolff mentioned: “The automobile felt collectively, which is vital, but it surely’s nonetheless a bit nasty on the rear. In order that’s one thing which we have to dial out of the automobile for the subsequent few races.
“However we now have a brand new baseline and that is vital to say: ‘Okay, that is what we now have now.’ We have taken questions off the desk the place we weren’t positive of, be it the entrance suspension or the extravaganza of our bodywork. So, let’s work from right here.
“We’re good at grinding away and the work that was completed within the factories to carry that replace right here to Monaco from our staff, it was actually a giant effort.”
This weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix will present a significantly better alternative for Mercedes to know its improve, with the medium and high-speed calls for of the Barcelona circuit excellent for evaluating aerodynamic efficiency.
Wolff doesn’t assume the staff will get all of the solutions it wants right away although, as he thinks it should take a while for the staff to position the automobile within the working window it must problem Pink Bull.
“I feel Barcelona isn’t sufficient,” he mentioned. “I feel we have to gather knowledge. That is why we put it additionally right here in Monaco, and to gather additional evaluation which we’ll do in Barcelona. The subsequent one, Montreal, is just a little little bit of an outlier once more.
“However over the subsequent races hopefully we will actually improve the efficiency of the automobile. But it surely’s not going to all of a sudden be proper there.
“That is why I am truly happy with the time hole that we had in Monaco. It was at all times a mediocre observe for us, in order that’s okay.”
Whereas the modifications at Mercedes didn’t ship a step change in efficiency to threaten Pink Bull, Hamilton mentioned he had no doubts that the W14 is now in a greater place.
“I really feel just like the automobile has progressed, it is moved forwards,” he mentioned. “I feel subsequent week we’ll get a significantly better really feel for it in a spot the place we will actually push by way of all of the medium and high-speed corners. I feel general it has been a optimistic for us.”